SUBJECT
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Approve selection committee’s recommendation to authorize staff negotiations with Fleischman and Garcia Architects And Planners, A.I.A., P.A., for architectural and engineering services for the Polk County and City of Bartow Joint-Use Fire Rescue Station. (No Fiscal Impact)
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DESCRIPTION
The Facilities Management Division requested Procurement solicit proposals from qualified architectural firms for design, permitting, bidding and construction administration of the Polk County and City of Bartow joint-use fire rescue station, to be constructed at 2421 Smith Lane, Bartow, Florida 33830.
Polk County and the City of Bartow intend to design and construct a new joint-use fire rescue station to enhance service to the community. The project aims to reduce emergency response times and improve firefighter safety through a station layout that incorporates a Red (Hot), Yellow (Warm), and Green (Cool) zone approach.
The selected architectural firm will develop conceptual design documents for a facility of approximately 20,000 square feet. These documents will address both current and future operational needs of the Polk County and City of Bartow Fire Departments. Deliverables will include floor plans, building exterior elevations, landscape plans, a preliminary cost estimate, and any additional plans or documentation required for County approval. This also includes all construction documents and specifications required for plan review, project bidding, construction administration, and project closeout.
Request for Proposal (RFP) 25-377, Architectural and Engineering Services for a Joint-Use Fire Rescue Station was issued, and seven proposals were received. The selection committee met on June 19, 2025, to evaluate and score the proposals. The three highest scored firms were elevated to interviews. On June 24, 2025, the selection committee conducted interviews and received presentations from the proposers. After the interviews, the selection committee ranked the proposers. The consensus of the selection committee was to request the Board authorize staff to enter into negotiations with all proposers, beginning with the highest ranked proposer, Fleischman and Garcia Architects And Planners, A.I.A., P.A.
The following is a listing of the firms and their rankings:
Firm Location Rank
Fleischman and Garcia Architects Tampa/Lakeland, FL 1
And Planners, A.I.A., P.A.
The Lunz Group Lakeland, FL 2
Straughn Trout Architects Lakeland, FL 3
A recommendation of award was posted, and no protests were received.
RECOMMENDATION
Request Board approve the selection committee’s recommendation and authorize staff enter into contract negotiations, beginning with the highest-ranked proposer, The Fleischman and Garcia Architects And Planners, A.I.A., P.A. for RFP 25-377, Architectural and Engineering Services for a Joint-Use Fire Rescue Station and moving to the second-highest ranked proposer and so on, if negotiations with Fleischman and Garcia Architects And Planners, A.I.A., P.A. are unsuccessful.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with negotiations.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Tabatha Shirah
Procurement Analyst
(863) 534-5935
tabathashirah@polk-county.net